I am thankful for The Celestine Prophecy. It is a novel by James Redfield. While technically a work of fiction, I think it has many universal truths and takeaways embedded within it. Introduced as insights throughout the story, the best way to advance and evolve is gradually outlined and explored step-by-step. Some of the insights convey the idea that we each have a specific or ideal life purpose, and we can glean such info from our parents. What are their passions and/or purpose? Reflect on each individually before considering how you can then hybridize and synthesize the two together for you.
Establish your purpose when you are alone and without temptations.
-Jeremy Bentham
When you learn the difference between busywork and your life’s work, that’s the first step on the path of purpose.
-Brendon Burchard
For me, my mom always wanted to be a teacher, but she went down a path of being a nurse instead. My dad was a law enforcement officer. He often speaks about how he prefers the prevention side of his work instead of the enforcement aspects. Better to stop poor decisions from being made than having to enact punishments for them after the fact.
Stop wandering about! Get busy with life’s purpose, toss aside empty hopes, get active in your own rescue – if you care for yourself at all – and do it while you can.
-Marcus Aurelius
Lanes and guardrails exist to enforce natural law and order. I write all these posts to help me heal from all my past pains and problems, so I am growing and transforming from a wounded victim into a wounded healer, both for myself and others. I am proud of such a purpose; I am thankful for such a task in life. It is not easy at all, but it is very worth it :)
The purpose of life… is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.
-Eleanor Roosevelt
If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose.
-T.D. Jakes
Robert Greene has a similar stance on purpose as well. Whatever our childhood passion points to will help us identify our best path forward in life. I struggled with this concept for weeks on end as I worked through what drove and excited me as a kid. I did not have one strong hobby, interest, or field of study that jumped to mind. Finally and randomly, the truth dawned on me in an instant. I love learning. Why do you think I have such a fascination with quotes and all this information? It feeds my insatiable appetite for yet more knowledge. I am learning (ha) to temper this addiction slowly, but learning is truly what I love because it allows and enables me to teach myself and others. I am working on only teaching those who want to learn instead of an overzealous approach with all.
Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others.
-Roy T. Bennett
What makes you want to get out of bed in the morning? What were your top interests as a child? What kind of purposes did your parents provide? Consider their ideal calling if they settled for something more standard or basic to pay the bills and provide food. If they had been more authentic and less rigidly practical or fearful, what would they have done or tried? How can you blend and merge this information into your life’s purpose?
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell.